Teenage twins who had life-saving surgery in the womb complete charity walk with their mum

Hope and Esme walked 10K with their mum Sharon to raise funds for research into TTTS (twin to twin transfusion syndrome) and nine other vital pieces of research in multiple pregnancies carried out at the new Twins Trust Centre for Research and Clinical Excellence at St George’s Hospital in London.

Sharon, who lives in Eastbourne, said her pregnancy was a surprise as she thought she was not able to have children, then even more of a surprise when her and partner Russell found out it was twins.

She said: “We had been told about a very rare complication of twin pregnancy called Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome and at our 17 week scan it was confirmed,” said Sharon, who was immediately referred to Kings Hospital in London under Professor Kypros Nicolaides.

“He told us that our babies were very sick and that there was a low chance of saving them, adding that if we didn’t have laser surgery that day, the babies would die within the next 48 hours.”

The operation went well and a further scan revealed two heart beats, but a few days later Sharon’s waters broke.

She said: “A doctor said we would need to have the babies that night and that they would not live. He was kind and sorry - but I said I wanted to sleep with them one more night.During that sleepless night I felt them both move for the first time. Fizzing and flitting in my belly - letting me know they were there and that despite having no fluid they had not given up.”

The consultant told the couple that although it was clear Sharon was losing fluid, it was refilling continuously and if she could get to 24 weeks, the twins could be delivered. The girls made it to November 24, 2003 and were born by c-section at 31 weeks +4, both weighing 3lb 10oz. They were in special care for the next month. Sharon said low growth and worry plagued the first few years of their lives but last weekend, Hope, Esme and Sharon walked 10K to celebrate our personal victory and to give something back.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thewheaverswalking.